Alkane-degrading properties of Dietzia sp. H0B, a key player in the Prestige oil spill biodegradation (NW Spain)

Abstract

Aims: Investigation of the alkane‐degrading properties of Dietzia sp. H0B, one of the isolated Corynebacterineae strains that became dominant after the Prestige oil spill. Methods and Results: Using molecular and chemical analyses, the alkane‐degrading properties of strain Dietzia sp. H0B were analysed. This Grampositive isolate was able to grow on n‐alkanes ranging from C12 to C38 and branched alkanes (pristane and phytane). 8‐Hexadecene was detected as an intermediate of hexadecane degradation by Dietzia H0B, suggesting a novel alkane‐degrading pathway in this strain. Three putative alkane hydroxylase genes (one alkB homologue and two CYP153 gene homologues of cytochrome P450 family) were PCR‐amplified from Dietzia H0B and differed from previously known hydroxylase genes, which might be related to the novel degrading activity observed on Dietzia H0B. The alkane degradation activity and the alkB and CYP153 gene expression were observed constitutively regardless of the presence of the substrate, suggesting additional, novel pathways for alkane degradation. Conclusions: The results from this study suggest novel alkane‐degrading pathways in Dietzia H0B and a genetic background coding for two different putative oil‐degrading enzymes, which is mostly unexplored and worth to be subject of further functional analysis. Significance and Impact of the Study: This study increases the scarce information available about the genetic background of alkane degradation in genus Dietzia and suggests new pathways and novel expression mechanisms of alkane degradation.

High efficiency degradation of alkanes and crude oil by a salt-tolerant bacterium Dietzia species CN-3

“…This interesting result may be explained that the CYP153 gene likely play the predominant role in alkane degradation by Dietzia sp. CN-3, which is particularly different from previous reports (Alonso-Gutierrez et al, 2011). For example, real-time qPCR analysis showed that alkB and CYP153 expression was significantly induced by C 14 , C 16 and pristane, and the transcript levels of the two genes were all >20-fold induced in Dietzia maris As-13-3 .…”

“…However, oil spills, as a result of natural or anthropogenic factors, cause dramatic environmental and human health problems (Head et al, 2006;Li et al, 2012). Crude oil is a complex mixture of compounds that can be classified into four main groups: saturated hydrocarbons, aromatic hydrocarbons, resins and asphaltenes (Alonso-Gutierrez et al, 2011). The search for methods to reduce petroleum pollution is becoming increasingly significant and necessary (Ouyang et al, 2005;Mbadinga et al, 2011).…”

Profiling microbial community structures across six large oilfields in China and the potential role of dominant microorganisms in bioremediation

“…Members of Dietzia isolated from other oil-contaminated areas have been shown to degrade hydrocarbons (Alonso-Gutiérrez et al 2011;Bødtker et al 2009;Plakunov et al 2008;von der Weid et al 2007;Wang et al 2011a). Interestingly, Dietzia psychralcaliphila sp.…”

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“…This approach makes use of indigenous oil consuming microorganisms (Ahmad et al, 2015). However, some isolated microorganisms can effectively degrade single pollutant in laboratory conditions but when introduced into actual field conditions with multiple pollutants they cease to function as anticipated, hence, the need for bioaugmentation (Alonso-Gutierrez et al, 2011).…”